Residents to mould Featherston CBD

PLANNING: South Wairarapa councillor Solitaire Robertson (left) and council officers Russell Hooper and Murray Buchanan discuss the project with Victoria University lecturer Bruno Marques in front of the vacant lot in Featherston.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Town planning is being ramped up for Featherston with the establishment of a Featherston Town Centre Working Party and the arrival of a group of landscape architecture students.

At a meeting on July 4, South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples invited the newly-established Featherston Resident and Ratepayers Association (FRRA) to join the party.

Chairman of the FRRA, Perry Cameron, said the group would like to see Featherston transformed.

"One of our goals is to engage with the council on issues that impact Featherston, so this is a great first step."

The association believes an urban designer should be employed to explore and present options for the development of the town centre.

The town has also been chosen as a case study for about 20 fourth-year landscape architecture students at Victoria University.

It will be delivered in partnership with the community of Featherston and South Wairarapa District Council.

Landscape architecture lecturer Bruno Marques has met with Featherston Community Board member Katie Beattie, South Wairarapa councillor Solitaire Robertson, and council officers Russell Hooper and Murray Buchanan to discuss the project, which starts today.

The students have arrived and will work from the Rugby Clubhouse and be billeted by the community.

They will consult with residents, regional and local government, iwi and other stakeholders to come up with design concepts.

At the end of August, they will deliver a range of concepts and identify 10 to 20 specific sites to focus on.

The conceptual approaches and sites will be presented to the community and council for discussion before proceeding with the final design work.

Designs will then be displayed at Anzac Hall for the public to view at the end of October.

Ms Beattie said she was looking forward to the students' fresh perspectives and was excited the board was sponsoring a Peoples' Choice Award for the project.

Board chairwoman Lee Carter said it was a good opportunity for the community to engage. "The outcome of this exciting project could provide the framework for long-term sustainability and growth for Featherston."

Residents are invited to meet and greet the students this Thursday at 6-9pm at Anzac Hall, and asked to bring a plate and ideas to share.

For more information on the FRRA, contact secretary Robyn Ramsden on 021 303 553 or email featherstonrra@gmail.com